Some Historical Jaina Kings and Heros

Author(s): Kamtaprasad Jain
Publisher: Jain Mitra Mandal

Page 26

lasted for 28 years. The efficiency of his civil and military administration was the main reason for the ascendancy of Magadhan power. Shrenika maintained rigid control over his officers and to ascertain the internal affairs of his kingdom, he used to meet the headmen of all the villages.?
In his early life, while in cxile, he passed many years at Kanchipur, as his father gave his kingdom to his step brother Chilati, banishing him to Southern India. At Kanchipur he married an accomplished Brahman lady name Nandashri, who became the mother of Prince Abhayakumara. When Chilati could not administer the statc affairs properly, the ministers of Magadha sent for Shrcnika and proclaimed him their king." Thereupon Chilati became a Jain ascetic. Celana, the accomplished daughter of king Cetaka of Vaisali, was the chick quccn of Bimbisara. She was fortunate to be the mother of seven sons Kunika Ajatashatru, Variscna, Halla, Vidala, Jitasatru, Dantikumara and Mcghakumara. Through the efforts and teaching of Celana, Shrcnika Bimbisara was converted to Jainism from Buddhism.3 When Tirthankara Mahavira Vardhamana visited Rajagraha Shrcnika welcomed him and offered adoration to Him and then laid the following
;. Tie Jordan Rsies, Oct., 1930 pp. 439-410 2. Harisna, Kathakosha. ::. Gon:!adr:1. L'etara purann.